Staff Choices

Light from Uncommon Stars is Ryka Aoki's debut novel - a blend of fantasy, science fiction, artificial intelligence, a demonish deal and the beauty of music. I became invested in the story and in the three main characters, Katrina, Shizuka and Lan whose storylines revolve around one another brought together by chance and fate.

It covers themes about gender identity, runaways, non-acceptance, acceptance, painful experiences, actions taken that can't be undone, and found family. Despite these heavy real-life issues it is interspersed with humor, kindness and hope.

This is a strange yet surprising book about friendship and taking chances. Take a chance and pick up a coy of Light from Uncommon Stars.

“Sorting through my mother’s things, it’s made me wonder what I want the world to remember me by.” – Just Haven’t Met You Yet

Laura Le Quesne arrives to the Channel Island of Jersey to write an article for her magazine Love Life when she realizes she has grabbed the wrong suitcase. Of course, it only makes sense to open the stranger’s suitcase and go through its contents: her favorite book, piano music for her favorite artist, and a heavy knit fisherman sweater. Laura is absolutely positive that this is the man of her dreams and commissions a cab driver to take her on the mission of finding her dream man.

I absolutely loved this book. Laura’s character is so quirky and charming and although her ideas surrounding a “dream man” and “soulmate” seem outlandish and only for the movies, you can’t help but cheer her on with her mission to find picture-perfect love. Sophie Cousens really takes you along for the ride, painting a beautiful picture of the Channel Island of Jersey and some of the whacky residents Laura encounters. I loved that the quest wasn’t entirely about finding love but also shattering the idea and pressure of finding the “perfect” story worthy of a magazine article. Laura learns that life is inevitably harsh but beautiful if we make it that way.

Wahala by Nikki May is an incisive and exhilarating debut novel centered on the female friendship of three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group. This female trio is the most unforgettable friendship since Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. For those who aren’t familiar with those names, I am talking about the epic friendship circle of the women of Sex and the City.

This story follows a friend group made up of 3 British/Nigerian girls who met in grade school and bonded over their shared heritage. Ronke, Simi and Boo are the kind of friend group that make others jealous. They have grown up together as close as sisters - sharing their successes, their dreams, as well as their failures. With the introduction of Isobel (a childhood friend of Simi), things start to take a turn for the three close friends. A turn which has the potential to tear this group apart for good.

If you are a fan of Sex and the City or Big Little Lies, this drama filled novel with strong mystery/thriller undertones is perfect for you.

The fascinating story of the creation of CRISPR , which gives us the technology to gene editing. It is extremely well written for the layman to understand the complex biology involved.

The book is also very timely as the scientists involved are perfecting it just as Covid emerges. Their work becomes instrumental in making and delivering the vaccine.

Great book, don't be put off by the topic or the length.

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris is a brilliant debut novel, set in rural Georgia at the end of the Civil War as the emancipation of slaves is being enforced throughout the South.  This historical novel reads like a gripping page turner, while also telling  a more intimate tale of family, friendship, and forbidden love. Two recently freed slaves, brothers Prentiss and Landry, are found hiding in the woods by white landowner George Walker, who is grieving after receiving news that his son Caleb had died fighting for the Confederate Army. The men eventually overcome their distrust of one another, and George hires the brothers to help farm his land. George’s wife Isabelle slowly grows to trust the brothers as well, as she emerges from the debilitating depression caused by death of her son. The fact that the Walkers have employed freed slaves is met with fierce hostility by the townspeople of Old Ox, especially former slave owners who refuse to accept that these newly freed slaves are no longer their “property”. There is also a hidden homosexual relationship between two soldiers, the discovery of which sets off a series of tragic events that will impact pretty much every person in the town.  

The tension in the book is palbable, as the safety of Prentiss and Landry is in constant jeopardy. One doesn't have to be a Civil War buff to find the time period fascinating as well. Slaves are literally freed overnight, but without a cent to their name or any sort of roadmap. literal or figurative, to guide them into an unknown future. But ultimately it is the richly drawn characters  that make The Sweetness of Water such an  incredibly compelling novel, as the reader can't help but care for them. 

Elizabeth Strout revisits her unforgettable character Lucy Barton in this simple tale about love and loss. Grieving her second husband, Lucy Barton also looks back on her relationship with her first husband William as she wades through her emotions and her 64 years. She deeply loved her second husband, but as she looks back on her life and the dysfunctional abusive family she had growing up, she comes to the conclusion the only time she felt safe in her life was with William. 

Oh, William! is another masterpiece by Strout. I can't get enough of her depth of characters and rich sense of place. Elizabeth Strout tells what appear to be simple stories, yet have multiple layers of experiences and emotions. As the Washington Post noted "So much intimate, fragile, desperate humanness infuses these pages, it's breathtaking"

“From Mary Kay Andrews…comes a novella celebrating the magic of Christmas and second chances in The Santa Suit.” 
 
It’s time to get cozy with Mary Kay Andrews’ latest novel, The Santa Suit. When newly divorced Ivy Perkins purchases an old farmhouse, The Four Roses, in small town North Carolina, she has no idea of the love, charm, and history that comes along with it. In the closet of the old farmhouse, Ivy finds an old Santa suit that holds an old letter from a little girl, asking Santa to bring her father home from the war. Ivy sets out on a mission to discover who the little girl is and if her father ever made it home. Within days of her move, Ivy has befriended several locals eager to help solve the mystery and one hunky realtor slash handy man. In a time of pain and sorrow, Ivy heals her wounds through new friendships, following her passions, and accepting love. 

The themes of this story, I realize, are quite similar to my last holiday read, Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber. The protagonist experiences a brutal heartbreak, along with other losses, and finds hope, love, and happiness in a new place. The Santa Suit shows just that. Ivy has faced loss throughout her life and after a brutal divorce, finds a fresh start in a new state. This book oozes cozy, from the big roaring fireplace in The Four Roses to the little town where everybody knows everybody. It is sure to warm your heart and make you laugh.  

For the best experience, Maggie recommends reading this with a hot cup of tea or cocoa and the coziest blanket you own. 

“A special holiday wish list brings about hope, love, and second chances” 

In Debbie Macomber’s latest addition to her fantastic holiday collection, Dear Santa, Lindy Carmichael finds herself returning home to a small town in Washington after discovering her boyfriend and best friend are romantically involved. Lindy is convinced that there is nothing that could possibly cheer her up. But after her mother reminds her of a magical old tradition of writing letters to Santa, perhaps Lindy might find some Christmas cheer this season after all. 

This was truly an enchanting read. In the beginning of this story, I could really feel the sadness and discouragement that Lindy felt. She loses both her long-time boyfriend and best friend during the most wonderful time of year, all while feeling the pressure of her graphic design job. After some encouragement from her mother, Lindy writes a new letter to Santa laying out what she would really like this year. This story took me on such a fun adventure with Lindy as fate and Christmas magic helped check off Lindy’s list to Santa. Throughout the story I could feel Lindy’s faith returning to her as she fills the season with family, love, and renewed friendships. Along with being a cozy, uplifting story, Dear Santa also serves as a wonderful reminder that when in doubt, follow your heart. 

The debut thriller by David McCloskey is one the best spy novels I've read in years. The main character Sam Joseph and his recruit Mariam are both fascinating and believable. The insight and descriptions of the Syrian regime are both gripping and horrific.

The author was a former C.I.A station chief, and you can tell he knows what he is writing about. The story itself is riveting and the romantic relationship between Sam and Mariam is also a plus. I am a big fan of espionage spy thrillers and this is a great one. I hope there are more to come from this author.

Together by Luke Adam Hawker is told and drawn in beautiful black and white pencil sketch illustrations in this graphic novel. The story follows an older man with his faithful dog at his side as he navigates the maelstrom of the Covid-19 pandemic. The book communicates with few words and detailed imagery about how the pandemic isolated communities changing the course of people's lives. We get a peek into how people contend with this issue within a cross-section of their homes to see how life carries on despite obstacles, setbacks and the fear of unknown outcomes. Working and schooling from home, separation, loneliness, new priorities, and finding ways to connect become a new normal.

You can read through Together quickly or slowly savor it by reviewing and interpreting the images on each page. Despite the topic of the book, I wanted this book to be longer, to know more about the man and his canine companion. Despite its brevity, I recommend it as a quick read and think that it will appeal to those who enjoy graphic novels and a hopeful story.